2016 Chevrolet Traverse recalls and problems

5 recalls and 292 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse.

5
recalls
292
owner complaints
8
complaints mentioning a crash
1
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2016 Chevrolet Traverse recalls

Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 23V334000 · reported May 10, 2023 · General Motors, LLC · 995,085 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. GM began mailing final owner letters February 23, 2024 and will continue mailing through December 2025. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232404980.

Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module · Air bags: frontal

NHTSA campaign 21V782000 · reported October 7, 2021 · General Motors, LLC · 555 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Buick Enclave and 2013-2017 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 3, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 10, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212349040.

Air bags: critical fasteners

NHTSA campaign 21V246000 · reported April 8, 2021 · General Motors, LLC · 108 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.
The risk
Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.

Seats

NHTSA campaign 15V833000 · reported December 11, 2015 · General Motors LLC · 2,633 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured November 6, 2015, to November 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a the third row left lower seat frame that may have welds that are not in the correction location.
The risk
If the seat frame is not welded in the correct places, the seat may not perform as intended, and in the event of a crash, the seat occupant could be at an increased risk of injury.
The fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third row left side lower seat frame, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 21930.

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer, motor

NHTSA campaign 15V609000 · reported September 29, 2015 · General Motors LLC · 29,295 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured August 18, 2015 to September 24, 2015. Due to a manufacturing defect, the windshield wiper motor may overheat when used.
The risk
A wiper motor that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
The fix
GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor cover assembly, free of charge. Owners are advised not to use their front windshield wipers until the wiper cover has been replaced. If weather conditions prevent operation of the vehicle without using the windshield wipers, GM will make arrangements to pick up the vehicle for servicing. The recall began on September 30, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15780.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Sep 21, 2026 · Power train

My 2016 Chevy Traverse LT with 108,750 miles had issues with the rear brake lights, and the Traction Control light would come on and the Traction Control turns off. A message appears on the dash that shows Service StabiliTrak. When I drive the vehicle to accelerate it shakes, jerks and shudders, and then it rides fine…

Jul 23, 2026 · Air bags

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that four local dealers were contacted. The contact was informed that parts were on back order. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure…

Apr 25, 2026 · Power train

The vehicle only has 145,… miles and I experience a "shudder" which could be caused by torque converter issues, often felt at highway speeds (approx. 40-60 mph).

Mar 10, 2026 · Air bags

There is an open recall on my 2016 Chevrolet Traverse that I have been trying to get resolved for almost 2 years. I finally opened a case with GM (#{…]) back on February 15, 2026 in an effort to escalate the repair. I received a call from a GM rep who has been less than helpful telling me the recall was completed in…

Feb 26, 2026 · Air bags

The contact owned a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (AIR BAGS) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.

Traverse model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2013 416272
2014 754881
2015 5313103
2016 529281
2017 3361132
2018 246492
2019 3412152

Across all years, the 2010 Traverse has the most complaints (669). All Chevrolet Traverse years →

Questions

Does the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, the most recent reported on May 10, 2023 (Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?
Owners have filed 292 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (163 complaints), followed by power train (37).
How many 2016 Chevrolet Traverse complaints mention a crash or fire?
8 of 292 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 15 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received September 21, 2026.